Lubricating device



Dec. 24, 1935. J, L CREW-:UNG 2,025,226

LUBRICATING DEVICE Original Filed Sept. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

F 1:9. 4 JOHN L. CEEVEL/NG A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 24, 1935. J L. CREVEUNG 2,025,226

LUBRICATING DEVICE Original Filed Sept. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4l 49 43 J V /Y al INVENTOR. Fig, JOHN L .CBEVELING ATTORNEY.

Patented` Dec. 24, 1935 LUBRICATING DEVICE John L. Creveling, near Tucson, Ariz'., assigner to The Lubrication Corporation, a corporation o! Delaware Original application September 17, 1931, Serial No. 563,407, now Patent 2,010,140, August 6, 1935. Divided and this application December 24, 1934, Serial No. 759,018

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in lubricating devices and more particularly to devices for coupling a ,source of grase, or other lubricant supply to a fitting or nipple to be lubrie cated.

This applicationyis a division of my copending application Serial No. 563,407 entitled Lubricating devices filed September 17, 1931 which has matured into Patent No. 2,010,140, granted August 6, 1935.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved lubricant-pressure operated clamp type coupler capable of convenient attachment and detachment to and from a lubricant receiving tting thereby to facilitate vicing of the fitting.

Another object is to provide a coupler of the character described wherein the coupler is capable of being released from the fitting or nipple .irrespective of pressure lock when attached to aI frozen fitting.`

Further objects will be apparent after reading the following specication and claims, and after consideration of the accompanying drawings forming a part of the speci'cation in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a lubricant-pressure operated clamp type coupler constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig.. 2 is a view, partially in section, of the coupler of Fig. 1 illustrating the pressure release valve in its n'ormal and inoperative position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the coupler of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, partially in section, of another form of the coupler;

Fig. 5 is a view of the coupler of Fig. 4 illustrating the pressure release mechanism in its normal and inoperative position;

Fig. 6 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, of another form of the coupler; and Fig. 7 is a view of the coupler of Fig. 6 in pressure release position.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 the coupler 2 therein illustrated comprises a casing generally indicated at 3 formed with a longitudinal bore extending throughout. This bore is of relatively small cross section at 4 but is enlarged at its rear.-

ward end 5 and is there formed with internal screw threads for attachment to a source of lubricant supply. It is also enlarged at its forward end to form a chamber 6 for purposeslater to be described.

Means arel provided for positioning the fitting to 4be lubricated in cooperating pockets associated -with the' casing 3. The forward end of the caseicient lubricant sering 3 is formed with external screw threads 'I onto which is screwed the rearward threadedyextension 8 of a clamp sleeve 9. 'I'he sleeve 9 forms, in eiect, a part of the casing 3' and provides a clamping member partially closing the forward end of the casing. For this purpose, the forward end II of the sleeve 9 is partially closed and provided with a lateral opening I2 through which inserted and through which the neck of the fit- `ting may, if desired, extend`while the fitting is being lubricated. The forward -end II of the sleeve 9 is also provided with a slot I3 through lthe head of a tting to be lubricated may be which the neck of the fitting may extend while and within the chamber 6 there is located a piston washer II of leather orother suitable material and contacting with the piston washer I1 is a metallic washer I 8. A compression spring I9 located within the chamber 6 and bearing at its opposite ends upon the washer I8 and the end wall- 2| of thechamber 6 respectively is provided thereby to urge the plunger I5 forward yieldingly into contact -With the fitting to be lubricated.

Means are provided for moving the plunger I5 back yagainst the action of the spring I9 whenever such manual movement of the plunger is desired. Surrounding a portion 'of the 'casing 3 and a portion of the sleeve 9 is an operating sleeve 22 formed with a knurled portion 23. The sleeve 22 has inserted therethrough a screw 24 one end of which is turned into .a threaded opening in the y plunger I5. The screw 24 is adapted to slide ir.

' sleeve may be used for the purpose of withdrawing the plunger I5'from contact with the ball head of the fitting after the fitting has been lubricated. However, the ball headA of the fitting may normally be inserted without manual operation of the plunger I5 by means of the sleeve 22, inasmuch as tho insertion of the ball head will piston washer II and thus aids the spring I9' in urging the plunger I forwardinto contact with the ball head of the fitting I4, and after such contact in urging the plunger and the ball head of the fitting both forward so that the ball headA is firmly clamped between the opposed portions of the end II of the casing and the plunger face 20. CA pocket 26 formed yin the face 26 of the plunger I5 and having a circular outline is adapted to receive a zone of the ball-shaped head of the fitting, said zone extending throughout substantially one-half o'f the surface of the fitting head.

In clamping the coupler upon the ball head of the fitting I4 the plunger I5 moves into contact with the head of the fitting thereby forcing the fitting head toward the end II of the casing and into a pair of concave pockets 21 and 29 which are formed respectively in the opposed portions of the end of the clamping sleeve 9, the plunger I5 being urged forwardly by the spring I9, by the lubricant pressure in the chamber 6, or by a combination of these forces. d

.Av-valve 29 located in the rearward portion of the casing 3 between the bore 5 and chamber 6 is provided for controlling the passage of lubricant under pressure from a source of supply into the chamber 6 of the coupler from the bore 5 and for relieving lubricant pressure within the chamber 6 thereby to enable the operator to detach the coupler from the fitting when the coupler has been attached to' a-frozen fitting through winch lubricant may not pass. The valve 29 may comprise a cylindrical member 3 I, having a diametrically reduced portion 32 intermediate its length, which member is slidably mounted in a bore 33 extending transversely through the casing I8 and intercepting the bore 4. During normal operation of the coupler, the valve may be maintained in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 thus to permit the free passage of lubricant through the bore 4 into the chamber 6. Means for shifting the valve 29 and for limiting the longitudinal movement thereof may comprise handles or buttons 34 and 35 formed at opposite ends thereof.

For the purpose of releasing pressure within the chamber 6 to enable the coupler to be removed from a frozen fitting, I have provided by-pass passageways 31 and 38'through the casing 3, the

passageway 3'I communicating with the Vbore 4.

and the passageway 3B communicating with the atmosphere.

I position shown in Fig. 1 causes the reduced portion 32 of the valve to register with the adjacent ends of the by-pass passageways thereby to establish communication between the passageways and to permit lubricant pressure from within the chamber 5 and va portion ofthe borel 4 to fall.to atmosphericv pressure.- At such tir'n'e the valve 29l functions to close the bore 4 at a pointrearwardlyof the passageway 31.

- .I' have thuspgovideda simple and efficient 4.clamp 'type coupler for servicing lubricant reeiving fittings which when applied`to a frozen -f fitting may be removedtherefrom by releasingttting. l

Movement of the valve- 29 to theA lubricant pressure within the chamber of the pressure responsive clamping instrumentality by the mere shifting of the valve 29 from its normal position as shown in Fig. 2 to releasepositin, as shown in Fig. 1. I. 5 In Figs. 4 and 5 I have disclosed a device designed to accomplish a similar purpose. Therein I have shown a casing 4I having its forward end 42 formed with pockets for the reception of the fitting I4. The forward end 42 of the casing is 10 shown for the sake of simplicity as a conventional claw, but it is to be understood thatI prefer to use an improved clamping end such as one l similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Within the casing 4I there is slidably mounted a cylin- 15 der 43 normally urged forward 'in the casing by a spring 44. The cylinder 43 is formed with an opening 45 communicating with a lubricant supply conduit 41 having a bore 46. Within the cylinder 43 there is mounted a plunger 48, a pis- 20 ton washer 49 and a spring 5I corresponding in function and design to the plunger I5, the piston washer I'I, and the. spring I9 shown in Fig. 1. The'cylinder 43, for the purpose of simplicity, has been illustrated as, formed in one part although 25 in practice the cylinder may obviously comprise two or more parts in order to facilitate the introduction of the plunger head, piston washer and spring therein. A lug 52 placed on a sleeve 53 mounted for rotation between flanges formed on .the conduit 41 is designed to be moved normally forward by the spring 44 to a position within the casingh4| as shown in Fig. 5. With the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 5 rotation of the vsleeve 53 causes the lug 52 to turn within the 35 casing 4I and catch against the rear end 54 of the casing.` For the purpose of providing easy rotation of the sleeve 53 and manipulation of this catch device, a manually engageable member 55 is located on the sleeve 53. In order to re- 40 lease the coupler in case of a hydraulic lock, the

sleeve 53 is rotated until the lug 52 is in register with the slot 56, whereupon it may 'be pulled back thereby expanding the pressure vchamber within the cylinder 43 and relieving the pressure 45 tending .to lock the coupler and fitting together. In Fig. 4 I have shown the coupler in the latter position.

Figs. 6 and I disclose a device somewhat simi--l lar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Therein sim- 50 ilar parts are ,designated by like reference numerals and only dissimilar parts are described in detail. Instead of the latchlng devices formed by the elements 52 andthe rear end 54 of the casing 4I, I have provided the rear end of the 55 casing with a screw plug 6 I which bears upon the cylinder 43 and is adapted to be screwed intothe casing 4I. 'I'his plug corresponds in functional purpose to the latch device shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

-It is believed that the operation of the sev- 60 eral forms of my improved coupler will be apparent from the above description. Should the coupler become pressure locked by reason of .excessive lubricant pressure being applied to lubricate a frozen" tting, the pressure may be ,65 relieved in the case of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 by operating the valve 29. -It can be relieved in the device' shown in Figs. 4 and 5 by turning the handle 55- and releasing the lug 52 from its contact with vthe casing 4I. In the case 70 of the devices vshown in Figs. 6 vand 7,' the pressure .may be relieved by unscrewing:-thej;plug 6I and` thus allowing the cylinder 43 and its V'cooperating plunger 43 to be backed away from the` It is to be understood .that the'above described embodiments of the invention are Afor the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. of the invention.

I claim:

1. A coupler for servicinga lubricant receiving fitting comprising, in unitary assembly, a tubular plunger arranged for sealing engagement with a lubricant receiving fitting, a clamping member engageable with said fitting, means associated with' said plunger and said clamping member and operative yieldingly to urge said members toward said fitting to clamp the fitting therebetween, means facilitating manual movement of the members relatively away from one another t disengage the fitting, means responsive to lubricant under pressure admitted to said coupler to urge said plunger and clamp member toward one another thereby to augment the pressure applied to said fitting through said members by said yielding means in clamping the coupler -upon said fitting, and manually operated means for reducing the lubricant pressure in said pressure responsive means at will.

2. A coupler for servicing a lubricant receiving fitting comprising, in unitary assembly, a tubular plunger arranged for sealing engagement with a lubricant receiving fitting, a clamping member engageable with said fitting, means associated with said plunger and said clamping member and operative yieldingly to urge said members toward said fitting to clamp thetting therebetween, means facilitating .manual movement of the members relatively away from one another to disengage the fitting, means respon- `in one position to admit lubricant to said pressure responsive means and when in another position to establish communication between saidl pressure responsive means and atmosphere.

3. A coupler for servicing a lubricant receiving fitting comprising, in unitary assembly, a tubular plunger arranged for sealing engagement with a lubricant receiving fitting, a clamping member engageable with said fitting, means associated with said plunger and said clamping member and operative yieldingly to urge said members towardl said fitting to clamp the fitting therebetween, means facilitating manual movement of the members relatively away from one another to' disengage the fitting, means responsive to lubricant under pressure admitted to said coupler to urge said plunger and clamp member toward one another thereby to augment the pressure applied to said fitting through said members by said yielding means lin'l clamping the coupler upon said fitting, and manually operated means for reducing the lubricant pressure in said pressure `responsive means at will, said last named means including a member normally maintaining said pressure responsive means in a fixed operative relationship with respect to said clamp member and operable, at will, to cause a bodily shift of a part of the pressure responsive means whereby the lubricant capacity of said pressure responsive means is increased.

4. In a lubricant pressure operated clamp coupler for servicing lubricant receiving fittings, a fitting engaging clamp member, a` cylinder, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in said cylinder and in alignment with said clamp member, '5 said plunger being arranged for sealing engagement with a fitting, means limiting the movement of said plunger within said cylinder, means for admitting lubricant under. pressure to said cylinder whereby the plunger is urged toward the clampingmember to clamp said fitting therebetween and whereby lubricant may flow through the bore of said plunger into said fitting, and manually operablemeans for releasing the cylinder whereby it may move away from said clamp member.

5. In a lubricant pressure operated clamp coupler for servicing lubricant receiving fittings, a fitting engaging clamp member,a cylinder, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in said cylinder and in alignment with said clamp member, said plunger being arranged for sealing engagement with a fitting, means limiting the movement of said plunger within said cylinder, means for admitting lubricant under pressure to said cylinder whereby the plunger is urged toward the clamping member to clamp said fitting therebetween and whereby lubricant may fiow through the bore of said plunger into said fitting, and manually operable means for releasingthe cylinder whereby it may move away from said clamp member, said last named means including a threaded plug forming an abutment for the rearward end of said cylinder.

6. In a lubricant pressure operated clamp coupler for servicing lubricant receiving fittings, a fitting engaging clamp member, a cylinder, a tubular plunger slidably mounted in said cylinder and in alignment with said clamp member, said plunger being' arranged for sealing engage- 40 ment with a fitting, means limiting the movement of said plunger within said cylinder, means for admitting lubricant under pressure to said cylinder whereby the plunger is urged toward the clamping member to clamp said fitting therebetween and whereby lubricant may fiow through the bore of said plunger into said fitting, and manually operable means for'moving the cylinder away from said clamp member, said last named means including a member fixed against longitudinal movement relatively to said cylinder and arranged to be engaged and disengaged at will with said clamping member thereby to lock the-cylinder against movement or to permit movement of the cylinder as desired.

7. In a lubricating device, a coupler for servicing a lubrication fitting comprising a casing,va clamping member slidably mounted in said casing for contacting the head of said fitting, grease pressure means for moving said clamping member, and means for releasing the grease' pressure from its action upon said clamping means, said releasing means comprising a sleeve mounted within said casing and within which said clamping means is mounted, an extension secured to said sleeve, a lug on said extension adapted to contact with a portion of said casing and means to rotate said extension to bring said lug into and out of contact with said portion of said casing.

8. A coupler for servicing a lubricant receiving fitting comprising a tubular plunger arranged for sealing engagement with a lubricant receiving fitting, a clamping member engageable with said fitting, resilient means yieldingly urging said plunger and clamping member toward the fitting to clamp the fitting therebetween, means having operative connection with said plunger and movable relatively to the clamping member and `adapted to be grasped by an operator for manu-v ally urging the plunger away from the clamping member, means responsive to lubricant Iunder pressure to urge said plunger and clamp member toward each other, and manually operable means for reducing the pressure in said pressure responsive means at will. Y l

JOHN L. CREVELING. 

